CEFZ vs VXUS
RiverNorth Active Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, CEFZ or VXUS?
Allocation/Balanced against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | CEFZ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.82% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $43M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.00% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 51 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -0.08% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.61% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.8%Best | 13.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.3%Best | -11.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $10,701 | $13,223Best |
| Fund Family | RiverNorth | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 27, 2006 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 4, 2025 to Sep 4, 2026 (1.1 years).
CEFZ vs VXUS growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.1 years both funds cover.
CEFZ vs VXUS Performance
RiverNorth Active Income ETF (CEFZ) is an ETF from RiverNorth and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CEFZ returned +3.61% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, CEFZ is down 0.08% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.3% compared with 8.8% for CEFZ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -8.3% for CEFZ and -11.3% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CEFZ charges 2.82% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $282 vs $5 annually, a gap of $277 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CEFZ currently yields 11.00% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 48 holdings in CEFZ and 8,092 in VXUS, totalling 99.7% and 87.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, CEFZ as of Aug 17, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 48 positions we hold weights for in CEFZ and 8,092 in VXUS, against full books of 51 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CEFZ and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, CEFZ or VXUS?
CEFZ has an expense ratio of 2.82% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $277 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CEFZ or VXUS?
Over the past year CEFZ returned +3.61% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), CEFZ annualized +6.35% vs +28.91% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CEFZ or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 13.3% annualized versus 8.8% for CEFZ. Worst drawdown: CEFZ -8.3% vs VXUS -11.3%.
Should I hold both CEFZ and VXUS?
CEFZ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, CEFZ or VXUS?
CEFZ yields 11.00% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so CEFZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than CEFZ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.